Convenient Rivals (Soho Knights Book 4) by Oliver Takely

Gregory is struggling to bail out his family once again, and his former friend and bully Oscar proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement, get married and he'll pay Gregory's debt. But there is something more to Oscar's plan, he doesn't want to admit that Gregory is everything he wants and hopes that at some point Gregory will forgive him and maybe stay.


From the blurb:

In the heart of London, where privilege and ambition collide, Gregory and Oscar's tumultuous past threatens to resurface in unexpected ways. Once childhood friends, their relationship took a dark turn when Oscar became Gregory's high school bully. Now successful in their own right, their paths continue to intertwine due to the dysfunctional bond between their mothers. While Oscar seeks to atone for his past, Gregory remains trapped in a cycle of hurt and betrayal.

After being abandoned by his family when they discovered he was gay, Gregory yearns for their acceptance, but only on their terms. As he struggles to support his financially reckless brother, entangled with the mob, the stability of his Soho home with his chosen family of true brothers hangs by a thread. With desperation setting in, a glimmer of hope emerges when Oscar proposes a marriage of convenience, which could solve both of their problems.

Oscar’s mother has her own agenda, threatening to upend everything he believes about love and loyalty. Can the reserved tech genius and the charming former athlete put aside their painful history to forge a new beginning? As the tension between them sizzles and threatens to ignite into something undeniably passionate, they must confront their pasts and decide how much they are willing to sacrifice. In a world of titles and privilege, family ties threaten to strangle the love which is building between them. Will they find the courage to defy their legacies for a chance at happiness, even if it means risking everything they’ve ever known?


SNik's review:

Fourth in series (Soho Knights), can be read as a standalone but might be better if read in order. Former bully. Size difference. Found family. Dual POV. Heed content warnings. 

Gregory overcame being disowned by his family and became a successful tech entrepreneur, and he has his own found family he keeps close while unfortunately still bailing out his troublesome family. Oscar regrets bullying Gregory in their youth, they grew up in the same social circles, and now he has a chance to help the man he secretly wishes would wreck him on a nightly basis. 

I appreciated that Gregory doesn’t let his attraction immediately dictate his forgiveness of Oscar, but they did have a friendship of sorts when they were younger and somehow they match each other in the bedroom department really well. The Soho Knights are just as protective and loyal as always, but the family drama was a lot for two independent men that are almost thirty years old. Overall, this was a fun read, with well-meaning main and secondary characters, some spice, and of course the closeness of true friendships.


Convenient Rivals is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription